Game Opportunity Becomes Reality Episode 111
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Game Opportunity Becomes Reality Episode 111
28. A New Wind (3)
King Kalitz of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts has four sons and three daughters.
Among them, Princess Diana is the current King's fourth child and first daughter, holding the second place in the line of succession to the throne.
Originally third in the line of succession, she rose to second without any effort after the Second Prince got his skull caved in by Arcia.
However, the next king of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts has practically already been decided as the Crown Prince.
Because of that, her place in the succession is nothing more than a tool to raise her value nothing more, nothing less.
'A beautiful princess, second in line to the throne of the powerful Kingdom of Rhinehearts.'
Isn't that a splendid title for selling her off to another country for diplomatic purposes?
No matter how advanced Rondel is, in a feudal state, romantic marriage is something royals can't even dream of.
No alliance is stronger than blood, so choosing a spouse based on political circumstances was only natural.
The Crown Prince married a princess of the allied Kingdom of Jordy, and Luke the Second Prince who, despite being a married man, brazenly made advances on Arcia also married a cousin from his mother's family, the Ducal House of Anahaim.
At least the current King loves his children thankfully so, since the previous King, who had neither blood nor tears, once sent a prince off to be a male concubine to a queen of an allied nation.
Therefore, the future of Princess Diana, who is of marriageable age, is not hard to predict.
"I'm reluctant to meet her..."
And yet, someone like that came to my Lord's estate unannounced, so of course I'd feel uneasy.
Getting entangled with a princess I've only exchanged glances with a few times would only breed strange rumors.
"But the other party is Her Highness Princess Diana herself?"
At my reaction, Ibril's expression shifted from surprise to outright shock.
Well, in this country, how many people would say they're reluctant to meet the beautiful Princess Diana?
Her reaction was only natural.
"I can't very well turn a princess away at the door, so I suppose I'll have to meet her. Would you understand, Lady Ibril?"
"Of course. Please don't worry about me."
"Arcia was watching a movie in the lounge. If you're interested, feel free to go look for her."
"Then I suppose I will. Hehe."
The unexpected visit brought her time with Evril to a swift end.
The unexpected visit brought my time with Ibril to a quick close.
She withdrew, and the reception room was tidied up.
Not long after, Princess Diana with pale platinum hair and cobalt-blue eyes entered the reception room, guided by the butler.
"I pay my respects to Her Highness Princess Diana, the jewel of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts."
"To be welcomed so warmly despite an unannounced visit I hardly know where to put myself. Have you been well, Marquis Lawrence?"
She's the type who looks fragile enough to break if touched, yet is tough and confident that's her defining trait.
But the way she appeared before me now was completely different from what rumors had painted.
[Diana Ann Rhinehearts / High Administrator]
Race: Human
Age: 20
Affiliation: First Princess of the Rhinehearts Kingdom Royal Family
Talents: Administration (High), Politics (Medium), Learning (Medium), Command (Low), Divine power (Low)
Traits: Justice, Benevolence
Relationship: Hope / Neutral
Status: Observing / Tense
Her information, displayed by the Myriad Mirror.
Her stats were respectable, but nothing special for a royal, and her current feelings toward me were quite complicated.
However, seeing the traits of Justice and Benevolence in her profile, I could tell Princess Diana was a person of proper character.
I guided the princess to her seat, while taking in the sight of the guard knight standing watch over her with a grim expression.
"This is tea Lady Ibril Barnet bought as a gift from the holy land. How do you find it?"
"The aroma is unusual. I like how it's refreshing and clears the head."
"It's a tea that's become popular among the clergy. It's not expensive, but I've come to like it myself."
"You seem to have a good relationship with Lady Ibril?"
"Of course. She's a girl who bet her life on my plan, isn't she? Even if she fails to become the Saintess, I intend to see her through to the end."
The atmosphere was warm and friendly, but beneath the surface, a silent probing contest was passing between her and me.
But I'm not the one in a hurry.
She was a princess, yet she had come directly to my estate, even though it could invite misunderstanding.
"Actually, I came because I have a request."
"I'm listening."
Sure enough, Princess Diana brought up a request right away.
I didn't react negatively outright and decided to hear her out first.
"Would you marry me?"
"Pfft!"
But her request was so excessive that I ended up spitting out the tea in my mouth.
"Cough! Cough, cough!"
Choked, I had to cough for quite a while, and only after I calmed down did I furrow my brow and speak.
"This is an unexpected request. May I ask why?"
"Brother Michael intends to send me to the Imperial Crown Prince of the Croysen Empire."
A marriage proposal out of nowhere.
It was so absurd that for a moment I thought it was a joke.
But as she continued her story, I understood her actions.
The Croysen Empire was, to the Kingdom of Rhinehearts, a hostile nation practically on the level of a sworn enemy.
And he wants to send his younger sister to such a volatile place.
I didn't think the Crown Prince was like that, but he's quite cold-hearted, isn't he?
"Has the matter already been discussed?"
"No, it's only at the stage of sending a formal letter. But my brother is serious."
I'm not saying this just because the Croysen Empire is an enemy nation they are a people who simply cannot be viewed in a good light no matter how hard you try.
If I were to confidently name the most authority-conscious people in this world, I would without hesitation point to the Croisen Empire.
Unlike the global trend in which even feudal nations mostly guarantee commoners a degree of freedom, in the Croysen Empire, commoners are nothing more than pawns and workhorses that exist solely for the nobility.
They are even a nation where slavery, abolished by most countries, is still legal; women cannot hold the imperial throne or titles, nor can they become administrators or knights.
They even say that the right of the first night exists in some regions, so I couldn't help but wonder whether she had done something wrong to the Crown Prince.
"Do you know why His Highness the Crown Prince is suddenly doing this?"
"It seems he intends to seek amity with the Croysen Empire, and I suspect he wants to offer me as a token of that."
The intention is understandable, but even for the sake of amity, if she's sent to a nation that was our longtime enemy, what kind of treatment would she receive?
"Besides, our kingdom has the principle of direct succession, so once my brother becomes king, my place in the succession disappears. My value is at its highest right now."
"Hmm... "
"And whatever you may think of the Marquis, my brother has always been cold toward his siblings."
Come to think of it, from the point where he allowed Second Prince Luke to expand his forces rather than suppressing him early, just to distinguish friend from foe, it could be said the Crown Prince's brotherly affection isn't all that great.
Perhaps it's because the current queen's only direct child is the Crown Prince, and all the other brothers have different maternal bloodlines.
"So you're proposing to me to avoid being sent to the Croysen Empire?"
"Yes. Unless you offer benefits equal to or comparable to the card of the Croysen Imperial Crown Prince, he won't change his mind."
I could tell she held me in very high regard.
That I was a card that could replace the Imperial Crown Prince of Croysen.
"My brother thinks very highly of you, Marquis. If you became his spouse, he would acknowledge it."
To put it plainly, as the heir of Grand Duke Lucas, I could be called the finest match in the world.
But in this kingdom's noble society, I was a bomb that could go off at any moment a rabid dog that could kill if it bit.
"I won't ask for love. A concubine is fine too. I just need the justification of a title. If you marry me, the Marquis's authority will only grow greater."
Seeing the always-confident princess looking so frightened was pitiful.
After thinking for a moment, I shook my head.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot marry you for your sake."
It was unfortunate, but if I took a wife just because she was pitiable, there would be no end to it.
I have no intention of throwing marriage around like that.
Of course, living together might breed affection and love could bloom, but that's only a possibility, isn't it.
Right now, to me, she was just a pretty princess nothing more, nothing less.
"Ah... "
At my answer, she looked as if the sky had collapsed.
Still, even if she was being obstinate, I couldn't coldly turn away a woman who had trusted me enough to come find me, so I decided to help her as much as I could.
"Instead, I'll try to stop you from being sold off to the Croysen Empire."
After all, this marriage was nothing but a stretch from the start.
'No, wait.'
I was just about to call the Crown Prince.
'Did that bastard anticipate Princess Diana's move?'
It suddenly occurred to me that he might have orchestrated this situation.
He would know that while I'm merciless to my enemies, I'm surprisingly soft on everyone else.
'Ah, right. Look at this guy.'
As the puzzle pieces clicked into place, I clicked my tongue.
Are all slit-eyed characters really such cunning snakes?
"No matter how much of a Marquis you are, I don't think that brother of mine will grant your request."
"You never know until you try."
With Princess Diana looking like she'd given up all hope before me, I called the Crown Prince.
[Oh, the prospective Grand Duke Lawrence contacting me first how unexpected.]
The Crown Prince greeted me coyly, even using the title of prospective Grand Duke.
"I've contacted you because there's something I'd like to ask."
At my reply, the Crown Prince tilted his head as if he didn't know the reason.
Honestly, I can see that he's expecting it but pretending not to.
So I spoke bluntly.
"It's about Princess Diana. I'd like for her not to be sent to the Croysen Empire."
At my unfiltered remark, Princess Diana pressed her palm to her forehead.
But what was even more absurd was the Crown Prince's answer.
[Yes, understood. I'll make it so.]
At how easily the goal was achieved, both I and Princess Diana, who had been half-dead with despair, wore dumbfounded expressions.
But one should always hear a person out to the end.
[Instead, I'll entrust Princess Diana to the Marquis.]
"You don't mean for me to marry her, do you?"
[It would be best if you married Princess Diana, but I know full well the Marquis won't move according to my wishes. Her administrative skills are fairly competent, so you may keep her by your side as a retainer, or use her for social activities and image-making.]
It was a tone as if he were passing off an object.
It was a moment that showed just how much value he placed on his siblings.
"You seem determined to attach her to me by any means."
[Because the Marquis is that valuable a person. I want a connection with you by any means necessary.]
Considering Princess Diana's status, it was an absurd measure.
But the Crown Prince was sincere.
I turned my head to look at Princess Diana, and she gazed back at me as if pleading.
With the Crown Prince's decree to send her to the Croysen Empire, there was no longer any trace of royal authority left in her.
"Fine. I have no choice."
[Good.]
And with that, the matter of Princess Diana's situation came to an end.
[By the way, at the upcoming royal party, I'll introduce you to my children. Especially my eldest son, who greatly admires the Marquis.]
After that, we exchanged all sorts of conversation, and ironically, the idle chatter lasted longer than the talk about Princess Diana.
But even with the Crown Prince's shabby treatment, Princess Diana was merely relieved, not angry.
[Then I'll see you on the day of the party.]
After the call ended, Princess Diana spoke to me.
"That's impressive. Speaking as an equal to that brother of mine."
"That's why I was so surprised by this matter. I thought His Highness the Crown Prince was kind to everyone."
"That's because the Marquis has earned recognition not just for political value, but personally as well. My brother isn't merely sweet, as you said."
Even if it was because he held me in high regard, the fact remains that this incident greatly changed my impression of the Crown Prince.
Of course, that isn't the problem.
At the very least, it's only natural to pursue practical interests as a king.
Princess Diana rose from her seat and bowed her head to me.
"Thank you. And I'll strive to be of help from now on."
I'd unwittingly ended up with the royal family's greatest beauty.
Well, the process wasn't exactly pleasant, but in any case, she was clearly a fine card to have if used well.
However, I'd need to think about how to play that card.
'Maybe later, for an event, I could tie Arcia, Ibril, and Princess Diana together and make them into idols with a K-pop vibe?'
It seemed good for image-making purposes, but it wasn't exactly a realistic idea.